R3: SS 10-acious (10)

[❀Tea❀]

I'm reading 2nd in series

[❀Tea❀]

Spot 28



Book: Shattered Valor by Elaine Levine
Series: Red Team #2
Read date: 20.09.14
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I have a problem. After finishing this one I've continued on third and now I'm not sure what happened in which one. Especially since they are similar. ☺
OK, so we have a team of mercenaries (I'm not sure how else to call them - they all come from special team in the Army (Red Team) and now are working for private firm). There are bad guys - group of bikers doing business with terrorists, living near small town Wyoming in which few of mercenaries grew up. And there are women - sisters, ex girlfriends, neighbors which conveniently show up somewhere in the middle of the book so you have next couple all set up.
Romance is predictable (as soon as girl shows up one of the guys becomes possessive) and suspense is predictable (they still need to catch person who's controlling bikers). And yet I'm still reading it and now waiting for last one to be published. I think you can call it guilty pleasure. Another one *sigh*

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Current Spot: 28
Read:
The City's Son by Tom Pollock (Alternate: Author T)
Finished: 22 September 2014
Rating: ****

Review:
A wonderfully unique and extremely imaginative action-filled YA Urban Fantasy novel with absolutely fascinating worldbuilding. The alternative, magical London conjured up by Tom Pollock can only be described as something wondrous and strange and absolutely weird - the good kind of weird, the kind that sets it apart from the masses in a way that makes you marvel and of which you enjoy every last tidbit to the fullest.

[Allison Ann]

Rotten cold - I've done nothing but read and nap since yesterday. :)

ROLL #4, SPOT #28
Series: The MaddAddam Trilogy #2

by Margaret Atwood

Book: The Year of the Flood
Series: #2
Date finished: 09/23/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I tried to read this trilogy years ago when the first book came out and couldn't get through it. This time around, I must be in the right mood because I am loving it. Despite this title, the novel deals with the years before the pandemic hits and the immediate aftermath. Sideline characters from the first book took centre stage in this one and I can't wait to read how Atwood brings them all together in the last book.

[maria helena]

ROLL #4, SPOT #28
Alternative - Author letter T



Book: Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay #2
Date finished: September 23, 2014
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I was a bit hesitant about reading the sequel to If I Stay because I thought the ending to the first book was so perfect, and it would have been perfectly fine as a stand alone. I'm definitely happy I read the sequel. It's, on its own, a great book. I really liked that it was told from Adam's point of view and it was a very suitable companion piece to If I Stay.

[maria helena]

How are you doing with this week's book Vi?

[Vi]

I'm at 75%; I should finish by today.

[maria helena]

Vi wrote: "I'm at 75%; I should finish by today."

OK, great!

[❀Tea❀]

I'll be away for next roll so don't panic if you don't hear from me first day. ☺ I'll be reading and I should finish the book before Friday.

I'm taking guess will have 3 next roll so I'm taking with me

Just in case we land in 40'...

[Vi]

Roll #4 - Spot 28



Book: Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta
Series: Book #2 in Lumatere Chronicles
Date Finished: 25 September
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I think I'm weird - everybody else loved this one so much better than the first, Finnikin of the Rock. I liked that so much better.

The best thing about Melina Marchetta is she doesn't pull her punches. She didn't justify Froi from his actions in the previous books; things in Lumatere are not rosy-rosy. They're still settling down. Yet, I was not as pulled by her books as I usually am. There certainly was enough twists but yet they felt fairly predictable to me. I will definitely read the third just to see the conclusion.

[Allison Ann]

I don't have many #3 books on my TBR, in fact I have only one. I suspect I'll be checking out the alternate read for whatever space we get. :)

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Or maybe you get luckier with the second number option. :) (I'm having the same problem with #4s right now, and my SSS team just hit the 40s - but there's generally so much stuff on my TBR, I'm bound to find something that fits.)

[maria helena]

I have a couple of series where the next book is number 6 or 7 that I really want to read, but I'm saving those for when we hit he 60 and 70's :-)

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

I actually have more of those than I have #4s! :D

[Allison Ann]

I've got a #38 sitting here staring at me, so that would work. :)

[Vi]

I have a couple of #3 that will finish off trilogies. I also have reserved if we hit 39.

[maria helena]

I clearly need to start reading longer series...

[maria helena]

We're now on spot 38, so you can choose to read any of the following:

- #3 in a series
- #8 in a series
- #38 in a series
- a book published in 2014

[maria helena]

Roll 5: 6+4
Spot: 38
Alternative: 2014

Picks/Reviews:
✔ Vi - Head Over Heels
✔ Denise - Even in Death
✔ ❀Tea❀ - Ten Things I Love About You
✔ Allison Ann - Concealed in Death
✔ maria helena - Rome

[Vi]

Dang. I soooo wanted a 39!! Ok, it's going to be either or . Both are #3 in series.

[maria helena]

Vi wrote: "Dang. I soooo wanted a 39!! Ok, it's going to be either or . Both are #3 in series."

Sorry Vi :(

I've read and I thought it was just as good as the previous books in the series.

[Vi]

That's ok, Marie Helena. I sort of expected this :( it's been ages since I read the Lucky Harbour books. I only remember the first book . It'll be good to get back.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

I'll use the opportunity to finish off a trilogy and read .

[Allison Ann]

I wish my luck in reading challenges was mirrored by my luck in real life. :)

I'll be reading In Death #38 Concealed in Death.

P.S. For next week I'd like to land on 47 or 48 and win Lotto Max. Thanks! :D

[maria helena]

ROLL #5, SPOT #38
Alternative - 2014



Book: Rome by Jay Crownover
Series: Marked Men #3
Date finished: September 27, 2014
Rating: ★★★
Review: Bad boy love stories is my guilty pleasure and the Marked Men series is one of my favourites. This one focuses on the older brother (Rome) from the Archer family. As with the other books in this series (and this genre) the story is fairly predictable, but I don't mind.

[maria helena]

Allison Ann wrote: "I wish my luck in reading challenges was mirrored by my luck in real life. :)

I'll be reading In Death #38 Concealed in Death.

P.S. For next week I'd like to land on 47 or 48 an..."

You actually have nr 47 and 48 in a series? Wow.

[Allison Ann]

maria helena wrote: "You actually have nr 47 and 48 in a series? Wow. "

:D Actually I have a #7 and a #8 that I would like to read. I think the highest series I am reading is up to 41/42 - Robert B. Parker's Spenser series and the last few were written by some new guy so I'm avoiding them. The In Death series is my second longest at 39 and most of them peter out somewhere in the teens or 20s.

[Vi]

For a change, I've finished my book early.

ROLL #5, SPOT #38



Book: Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis
Series: #3 in Lucky Harbour
Date Read: 28 September
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
It's been a while since I read the first two books but I was able to lose myself in the setting quite easily. Sawyer and Chloe have been attracted to each other since book 1. After not-sure-why-exactly reasons, they finally get together.

There are a number of things that made this book a pleasant read - Chloe has asthma that makes a lot of strenuous activity difficult - including sex. I appreciated how this was handled and it wasn't intrusive at all. Sort of eye-opening as this was something I'd never even considered before.

The major problem for me was Chloe's story - it's about her change to fit into the mold. Sure, she needed to change but she did an almost 180 in this book which is something that could've been handled differently. It definitely would have been refreshing had it been so.

I will definitely be continuing the series but not immediately.

[Allison Ann]

ROLL #5, SPOT #38
Series: In Death #38

by J.D. Robb

Book: Concealed in Death
Series: #38
Date finished: 09/29/14
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This series is one that I generally enjoy, not great literature but a good story with the occasional twist. This one was fairly transparent and I had things figured out early on, but they left it with an open storyline. Honestly, I tend to forget these books as soon as I read them so maybe she ends them all like that? She kept the "Roarke is the most awesomest, most beautifulest guy in the universe like EVAH!" to a minimum, which I appreciate and which would be worth another half star if those things existed. :D

[maria helena]

Allison Ann wrote: "She kept the "Roarke is the most awesomest, more beautiful guy in the universe like EVAH!" to a minimum, which I appreciate and which would be worth another half star if those things existed."

haha

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Current Spot: 38
Read:
Even in Death by Jason D. Morrow (The Starborn Saga #3)
Finished: 30 September 2014
Rating: *****

Review:
Having been infected by a greyskin during the battle at Springhill, Mora is living on borrowed time. With only 24 hours left before the virus kills her, she will let nothing stand in her way and use what time she has remaining to take down Jeremiah once and for all. With her fellow Starborn and the resistance movement that has been operating quietly underground so far, she prepares for the final showdown in an action-filled race against time. Quiet emotional moments and fierce battles combine to form an epic, gripping, unputdownable and absolutely perfect ending to a great trilogy.

[❀Tea❀]

Spot 38



Book: Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
Series: Bevelstoke #3
Read date: 30.09.14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Funny, easy and quick read. We are continuing series not with family member (there is one more brother left) but with cousin we've met in last book. I really liked hero in last book. His uncle hates him so since there is no other heir to the title, uncle decides to find a new wife and have another son no matter the cost. So what happens when uncle and nephew go for the same girl? ☺

[maria helena]

Great job team. We're even done a day early :)

If you want to start picking a book for next week, we're guaranteed to end up on a number with a 4 in it (except it we get 12 and end up on 50 but the chance of that is quite small).

[maria helena]

We're now on spot 46, so you can choose to read any of the following:

- #4 in a series
- #6 in a series
- #46 in a series
- a book that's on the on Kindle list

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

#4 it is, I'll go with !

[❀Tea❀]

- 4th

[Vi]

I have a #4 and a #6 - I'll go with #4 - . I'll reserve #6 when we hit the 60s.

[Allison Ann]

I'm going to read from the alternate Kindle list. All my series seem to be on #1,#2,#3 or #7,#8 or in the 20s. :)

[maria helena]

Roll 6: 2+6
Spot: 46
Alternative: On Kindle

Picks/Reviews:
✔ Vi - Body Double
✔ Denise - Wrong Side of Dead
✔ ❀Tea❀ - Archangel's Blade
✔ Allison Ann - The Fault in Our Stars
✔ maria helena - Coming Home

[maria helena]

I think I'll read (4th in a series)

[maria helena]

ROLL #6, SPOT #46
Alternative - On Kindle



Book: Coming Home by Marie Force
Series: Treading Water #4
Date finished: October 5, 2014
Rating: ★★
Review: I usually like Marie Force's romance novels and thought the previous books in the Treading Water series was worth reading. The forth book, which takes place 10 years after the ending of book 3, however, is the exception. I didn't like the main characters focused on and I didn't think it added anything to the series. It was just ok. I would have given it 1 star if it wasn't for the supporting characters (whose story line I actually enjoyed).

[Allison Ann]

ROLL #6, SPOT #46
Alternate: On Kindle

by John Green

Book: The Fault in Our Stars
Alternate: On Kindle
Date finished: 10/06/14
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Insomnia at least means I'm getting extra books read. YA isn't my thing, romance isn't my thing but this was a well written book. Predictable and sad but very readable.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Current Spot: 46
Read:
Wrong Side of Dead by Kelly Meding (Dreg City #4)
Finished: 06 October 2014
Rating: ****

Review:
These books just keep getting better and better! Once again, Kelly Meding doesn't pull any punches as this fast-paced, action-packed and incredibyl intense series hurtles towards its finale in the next book. Following the attack on Boot Camp, the Triads are decimated and life as they know it is over for the Hunters and Handlers that remain. An unprecedented cooperation with the vampires and Therians to protect the city from less savoury supernatural elements might be the answer, but that alliance is soon threatened by Walter Thackery's newest sinister plans. The man who imprisoned and tortured Evy for his scientific experiments poses a danger to all she holds dear - and this time, Evy won't stop until she sees him dead and her loved ones are returned to her. A great, unputdownable read!

[❀Tea❀]

Spot: 46



Book: Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #4
Read date: 07.10.14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I'm so happy we are not sticking to Raphael and Elena for whole series. (I'd probably know that if I've read blurbs ☺). This time we have Dmitri, Raphael's second in command, and Honor, Elena's colleague. They actually met because of the case not that connection.
Dmitri is vampire everyone fears. He's old, dangerous, and doesn't mind pain (in every aspect of life (he's is actually quite known in female circles for that one)). Honor is Guild hunter who's expertise are ancient languages. Some time ago she was abducted and tortured by group of vampires and now Dmitri is helping her avenge herself.
I think this one was my favorite in the series so far. (I don't really like Elena that much ☺)

[Vi]

Almost forgot my review..

Spot #46

by Tess Gerritsen

Date Read: 9 October
Rating: 4 stars
Series #4 in Rizzoli & Isles
Review:
I'm usually not a mystery fan - if the mystery gets too big, I'm SOOOOO tempted to peek. I decided to give this series a try after so many of my friends praising it. I'm very glad I did.

The first book was a little slow but the next was good enough to continue. But this book, is the best of the series so far. It was so fast-paced with unexpected turns that kept me (or tried to) glued to the book. The relationship between Maura Isles and Jane Rizzoli moves into friendship which I loved reading about.

I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series.

[maria helena]

Vi wrote: "Almost forgot my review..

Spot #46

by Tess Gerritsen

Date Read: 9 October
Rating: 4 stars
Series #4 in Rizzoli & Isles
Review:
I'm usually not a mystery fan - if th..."

This series is one of my favourites!

[maria helena]

We're now on spot 54, so you can choose to read any of the following:

- #5 in a series
- #4 in a series
- #54 in a series
- Title S

[maria helena]

Roll 7: 4+4
Spot: 54
Alternative: Title S

Picks/Reviews:
✔ Vi - Banishing the Dark
✔ Denise - Requiem For The Dead
✔ ❀Tea❀ - The Blood of Olympus
✔ Allison Ann - Running Blind
✔ maria helena - Nash

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

I'll continue my series from last week and read .

[Vi]

Hmm, I can't decide. I have two #4 one of such will complete a series or I can continue the Rizzoli & Isles series. I'll wait for my other team challenges before deciding.